Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

A lot of people have asked me this and I have a hard time picking one thing. The trip is a great blend of many, many elements from traditional sight seeing to the hiking. I love being active during the day and then going back to the hotel for a swim and a lovely meal at a local restaurant. The people on my tour and our conversations were also a highlight. We were a diverse group (Canada, UK, US and Germany) from mid 30s to 60s, with different backgrounds (artist, engineers, health professionals, IT, lawyer, marketing, publishing, teachers, etc). I know I've made some new friends on this trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ivan is awesome and it's easy to underestimate how good he is. Herding 16 adults is a challenge and he did it with skill and diplomacy. As I mentioned, we're a diverse group and we all had different ideas of what we wanted out of our holiday and he took into account. This was my first Exodus trip and I'm looking to do another trip in part based on Ivan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As noted above, put in time before hand to do some training so you can enjoy the trip. While going up is harder for cardio, most people have more challenges with going down. A couple of months before add going down stairs. It will help to build up your quads and strengthen your knees. I did this leading up to the trip and I didn't have any problems. I was given this advice before going to do the Inca Trail and I didn't listen to it. On the Inca trail I was stiff but in Croatia I didn't have any issues. (Exodus also rates their Inca Trail trip a Level 3.)

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the varied wildlife of the game reserves, ostriches, whales and penguins up close in their natural habitats. Also had the opportunity of mingling with local South Africans in non tourist areas as well as meeting inhabitants of the Langa township. The group leader also gave a stirring recount of the history, culture and traditions of South Africa which helped to put to bed my own misconceptions of the country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was amazing from his organisation skills in organising in advance the activities, meals and accommodation to his vast and deep knowledge of South Africa. The group leader also helped to make the group feel at ease through his easy going , patient and pleasant demeanour and was very obliging when small issues arose with his ability to resolve them quickly being remarkable. I would embark on his other tours that he leads in the future.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on this adventure, you will not regret it. Listen to the group leader as he knows so much and is available to help when required.

Most Inspirational Moment

The wine tasting on the first day was really excellent and a good way at the start of the tour to get to know your fellow travellers. The sites of the island were stunning. Selinunte was not overcrowded with tourists so was particularly lovely to walk around, with its stunning setting overlooking the sea. The town of Erice also had stunning views and was lovely to wander the quite streets of the town.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco was excellent. He provided us all with a book at the start of the tour and with a map of each town as we visited them. I have done many Exodus trips and have never had a guide so organised with such maps, highlighting the points of interest. Phillipe was our trusty driver who was also excellent and we all felt safe with his driving.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would say that the coastal walk was more challenging than the walk on Mt Etna. I wore good walking boots for both although could have got away with walking shoes for the Mt Etna walk.

Most Inspirational Moment

Exploring the Drakensberg mountains, where we did a small walk. I could very easily spend a whole week (or longer) in this one area alone. I actually felt this way many times during the trip so pinning down a single inspirational moment is an impossible task for me. As South Africa is such a large country, this trip was always going to a taster for me. I will definitely return and hopefully spend more time in the areas I most liked.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Petro was a fantastic guide and was always there to help; full of information, particularly that of South Africa's history, ensures that you'll always find the longer journeys interesting. I must also mention Joel, who was not only the driver but did many other jobs such as preparing the meals, particularly the braais (South African barbeque). We never went hungry! Even people who didn't like certain foods were catered for! Both guides worked extremely hard and I often felt that especially after the long drives the group could easily have eaten out. This would have meant that the guides, after the long driving days, wouldn't have to cook for the group!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I travelled in August and underestimated how cold it was going to be, particularly in the coastal regions. I should have packed a couple more thicker jumpers and some thicker trousers too.

Most Inspirational Moment

Palmse Manor and the Distillery accommodation . The Onion Villages on the shores of the Lake. Guild Hall in Tallinn

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lena was outstanding. She was knowledgeable about the three countries and was a very good communicator. We appreciated the way she shared some of the story of her own family in the changing situation of Lithuania. She selected good places for lunches and dinners. She took great care of the slower riders (us ) and ensured that we didn't take wrong turns and get lost.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some training so that you can ride 50 km on fairly flat country without discomfort. Take the right sort of gear - lycra makes life much easier on the saddle.

Most Inspirational Moment

The time spent at Palmse at the Manor house grounds. The Onion Villages on the side of the lake were also notable. The Guild Hall in Tallinn .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lena was outstanding - could not have done more for us all. She was knowledgeable and was able to communicate the stories of the three countries very well.We appreciated the way she was prepared over the trip to share elements of her family story. Always thoughtful and took great care of the tail end riders - us ! She selected very good places for lunches and dinners.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared - do some training beforehand and have the appropriate gear - lycra pants make the ride more comfortable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sun rise from the top of a mountain

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, really excellent (Andre Pontes)

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the bird ringing at the Vente Cape and being able to hold one then release it after the ringing took place. So cute! Eating smoked fish for lunch on the Curonian sand spit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius was a great guide who was friendly, personable and great fun to be with. He was knowledgeable and passionate about his country (Lithuania) and also Estonia and Latvia.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take layers and wrap up warm. There are strong headwinds a lot of the time that makes the cycling more difficult, even though it is only classed as a leisurely/moderate. Most of the terrain is flat with greater undulations on the final day. We all got bitten during the daytime in Estonia in the forests so take bug spray and use it!!! Some of the bus transfers are long, especially the one to Vilnius so be prepared and take a book! Spend an extra day in Tallinn. You won't regret it. It was the best of the three capitals and so pretty. In the summer period, there are free tours of the city of Tallinn which start at the Tourist office and are well worth going on. We did the Medieval Tour which is delivered by actors and was the BEST city tour we have ever been on! Half a day in Villnius is enough to see the majority of the city and you get this on the last day of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The hike we did to and from L'Aiguillette des Posettes

Thoughts on Group Leader

superb - professional (knowledgable) and sociable

Advice for Potential Travellers

A good level of fitness will make the trip more enjoyable

Most Inspirational Moment

Being surrounded by amazing scenery and people every day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eduard Casajuana is a brilliant guide and so passionate about sharing his knowledge and love for all things Mallorcan, the mountains and wildlife. He made the holiday about so much more than just walking - fantastic!